Frequently Asked Questions

The Tibetan word terma means “treasure” and refers to Buddhist scriptures, teachings, or physical objects, hidden mainly in the 8th century by the highly accomplished master Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche – precious teacher) and his spiritual consort Yeshe Tsogyal. The unique feature of a terma is that it can only be discovered at the appropriate time by realized individuals known as tertöns, or treasure revealers. This ensures the correct dissemination of these precious tantric teachings for the benefit of future generations and, at the same time, prevents them from being misused or lost. 

Generally speaking, there are two types of treasure teachings: earth termas and mind termas. Earth termas refer to physical objects like sculptures, manuscripts, and relics hidden in nature: within the earth, water, trees, rocks, temples, or even within the expanse of the sky. The tertön reveals these physical objects with the help of a yellow scroll written in a dakini script, a symbolic code of writing that can be deciphered only by the treasure revealer himself. Mind termas are transmissions directly concealed within the wisdom expanse of a tertön’s mind. When the auspicious conditions are in accord with Guru Rinpoche’s original wish, the terma teaching will appear in the enlightened space of the tertön’s mind. 

The Tara’s Triple Excellence program stems from a mind terma. Because of its recentness and the unbroken lineage of its revelation, it is believed that this treasure teaching carries immense auspiciousness, blessings, and potential for realization.

Yes, but according to Drubpon Lama Tenzin it is important to choose one main practice. It is best if you can make Tara’s Triple Excellence your main practice, your priority.

Yes, Tara’s Triple Excellence is recommended for beginners as well as experienced meditators. TTE takes us through the Buddhist path in an orderly progression from Sutra all the way to highest Tantra. We all come to it with varying levels of experience and understanding. What you bring to this set of teachings is unique, and what you take away is also yours alone. Don’t worry about what “should” be in your mind and experience. This program gives you daily support and authentic teachings.

No, however a personal teacher is very important in Vajrayana Buddhism. In order to be able to travel on this fast track, we, as the adepts, need to possess or develop devotion to the teacher and the yidam deity. As part of the TTE practice, you will be asked to visualize Tara as inseparable from your own root guru or teacher. The term root teacher, or guru, refers to the teacher who has pointed out the nature of your mind. If you have no root teacher yet, think of “the teacher” as the one who has given you the most inspiring teachings and instructions. When visualizing Tara as indivisible from your teacher, you don’t need to change her form, but merely think that your teacher’s compassionate heart and mind are the same as Tara’s. If you have no teacher, don’t worry, just imagine that Tara is your teacher.

You may want to repeat both the morning and evening contemplation of the day you missed. Or if you feel that you have taken the topic reflected upon sincerely to heart simply move on to the next day.

Yes. As long as you are enrolled in the TTE program, as you progress through each Excellence and the topics covered within it, you can always go back to any of the content as often as you like. 

Yes. If you need to take a break from the program due to health, work, family, or other personal reasons, just go to “My Account”, find your TTE “subscription” and cancel it. You will continue to have access until the end of the current month, then you will no longer have access to the program. Whenever you choose to reactivate your enrollment, as long as you use the same login, your place within the program will have been saved and you can continue your progression through the program.

The TTE program is set up as a progression from the First Excellence through the Third Excellence. To study and practice the content in the Second and Third Excellence, you’ll need to get to them by following the progression. Note: Upon completing the Second Excellence Part 3, you will be required to take a short self-assessment quiz and an interview before registering for the Third Excellence.

With our new enrollment model, membership system, you will always have access to all of the material that you have previously completed, regardless of how far you have progressed in the program. This means that you can always go back and review or consult any of the material that you have already studied and practiced.

Completing The First Excellence is a requirement to move on to the Second and Third Excellences. Due to the nature of these teachings, we are obliged to meet personally with every participant who wants to practice the Third Excellence, after they have completed the first two.

Empowerments are the foundation of the practice of the Secret Mantrayana. They are like a ticket and gate to the practice. To be really able to practice, we must receive the ripening empowerments, the liberating instructions, and the supportive reading transmissions.

To receive an empowerment, we must rely on a master, a teacher who is endowed with realization and experience.

Every year, the TTE team organizes an annual Tara retreat, usually in Nepal, during which Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche bestows one or all of the three empowerments (outer, inner, and secret) required for the Third Excellence. Rinpoche also gives at least one of these empowerments at one of his centers when he travels around the world. All TTE retreats and empowerments are announced on the TTE Calendar of Events, or on our TTE facebook page.

If it is difficult for you to travel to a retreat or seminar to receive the empowerments, you can discuss your situation with a senior TTE member during your Third Excellence interview.

Tara’s Triple Excellence includes a moderated forum where you can ask questions or seek advice from other seasoned practitioners. You may also contact reach the team via our contact page.

We also offer Practice Support Groups, where you can go through one of the Excellence modules together with a group of fellow practitioners and a facilitator. Please see this page for more information on this topic.

At the request of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, please do not distribute any TTE files that you’ve downloaded with anyone else. These are profound terma teachings that must only be accessed by the individual who received the teachings and who practices accordingly. Otherwise, the seal of secrecy will be broken, which is harmful to the Dharma, the teacher, and the Sangha. All program content – print, video, audio – is meant only for your own personal practice. Rinpoche has made it completely clear that he does NOT wish these files to be copied and/or distributed beyond those who are actually training through this program. Thank you for your understanding and commitment. Please commit to maintaining the Seal of Secrecy.